Office of the Attorney GeneralAttorney General Stumbo Announces Seizure of Illegal Internet Drugs from Lexington Area Hub

Press Release Date:

Friday, August 25, 2006

Contact Information:

Vicki Glass, 502-696-5643 Office

Attorney General Greg Stumbo today announced that agents of the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation (KBI) are in possession of drug shipments seized from shipping hubs in the Lexington area. The packages were shipped to Kentucky residents from three unlicensed pharmacies in Florida.

In this seizure, the KBI seized 2,486 pills, including 1,690 highly addictive Hydrocodone tablets with a total street value of almost $17,000. The drugs seized were destined for Jessamine, Floyd, Scott, Letcher, Clark, Estill, Menifee and Knott Counties in Kentucky.

“This marks KBI’s third seizure of illegal Internet drugs in just over one month,” Stumbo said. “Drugs with the street value of nearly $130,000 have been taken off the streets and out of the hands of addicts and dealers during these three seizures.” Since Senate Bill 63 was enacted last year, the KBI has seized approximately a half-million dollars in illegal Internet drugs.

KBI agents are actively enforcing Senate Bill 63. The law forbids the sale and shipment of drugs by unlicensed Internet pharmacies. Already, many unlicensed pharmacies refuse to ship to Kentucky due to the penalties now in place. It also requires Internet pharmacies follow the law or face felony charges.

“Drug sellers must obtain a permit from the Board of Pharmacy,” Stumbo continued. “A toll-free number where patients can consult with a qualified pharmacist must be maintained. Pharmacies must also comply with the KASPER monitoring system and display certification that it is a ‘Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site.’”

KBI agents are working in cooperation with Kentucky State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration, Kentucky National Guard, Florida Office of the Attorney General and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in their efforts to crack down on rogue Internet Pharmacies shipping drugs into Kentucky.